Bruin Notes

Stam Claims National Championship in Javelin

Graduating senior Beth Stam won a national championship in the javelin at the Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May. Stam’s throw of 156 feet, 2 inches was a stadium record, more than 8 feet further than her nearest competitor and the No. 2 throw in school history. Stam also earned All-America honors at the event by finishing fourth in the heptathlon.

Morrison Named Player of the Year

Kelsey Morrison was named Ping National Player of the Year in May after leading all NCAA Division III women golfers in scoring average (75.92)and winning eight of 11 regular-season tournaments. Morrison, who graduated in May with a degree in journalism, led her team to its fourth straight conference championship and a team-best fourth-place finish in the D-III national championships. Morrison finished second at nationals and earned First Team All-America honors for the second straight year.

New Bruins Announced at Commitment Day

On April 19, 62 high school seniors and their families showed up for the university’s inaugural Commitment Day. Student-athletes representing 13 different sports showed up to the event to announce their intention to attend George Fox in the 2013-14 academic year. The largest sport represented was the university’s new football program, which drew 29 commits. The day was designed to showcase and show appreciation for student-athletes who made the decision to attend George Fox, a Division III school that does not offer athletic scholarships. Visit georgefox.edu/recruits for student-athlete photos and bios.

Rapacz Earns Conference, Regional Honors

Catcher Josh Rapacz earned Northwest Conference Player of the Year honors after leading the NWC in batting average (.450), slugging percentage (.690) and on-base percentage (.514). The junior was also named West Region Player of the Year and a First Team All-American by D3baseball.com.

University Breaks Ground on Stoffer Family Stadium

The George Fox community celebrated the beginning of a new era of Bruin athletics on May 20 at a groundbreaking ceremony for Stoffer Family Stadium, the future home to George Fox football and track and field. Construction on the stadium – which will include the Duke Athletic Center, the synthetic-turf Lemmons Family Field, and grandstand facilities – is set to be completed in time for football to kick off in the fall of 2014. Visit georgefox.edu/StofferStadium to learn more about the stadium project.

Coaches’ Corner

Head men’s basketball coach Mark Sundquist was named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 15-11 overall record.

On March 29, Marty Hunter became just the third George Fox baseball coach to reach 150 wins with a victory over Whitworth University.

Track coach John Smith was named the 2013 West Region Women’s Indoor Head Coach of the Year. It was Smith’s first regional award as an indoor coach. In outdoor track and field, Smith claimed Northwest Conference Women’s Coach of the Year honors for the fourth straight season.

Doug Beatty, meanwhile, was honored as the 2013 West Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor track, thanks in part to his work with the team’s jumpers and multi-event athletes.

MaryJo McCloskey received her second NWC Coach of the Year award after leading the women’s golf team to its fourth straight conference championship and third straight NCAA postseason appearance.